Exhaust-pipe for locomotives.



E. 6.. GROSS.

EXHAUST PIPE FOR LOCOMOTIVES. APPLICATION HLED AUG.30. 1917.

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E. G. GROSS. EXHAUST PIPE FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.30. 191i.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

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EDWARD G. GROSS, F COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO F. F. GAINES,

OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

EXHAUST-PIPE ron LOCOMOTIVES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1916.

Application filed August 30, 1917. Serial No. 188,973.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD G. Gnoss, a

- citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Muscogee an State of Georgia,'have invented new and useful Improvements in Exhaust-Plpes for Locomotives; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to 7 make and use the same.

My invention relates to that class of devices which are positioned in the smoke boxes of locomotives for so directing the ex haust steam from the cylinders as to create the required draft through the boiler tubes and fire box. I

One object of the invention is to reduce the back pressure in the cylinders by increasing the area of the several steam. passages, thus giving the locomotive all the' tractive power available.

A further object of the device is to provide an exhaust steam pipe Which will spread the steam before releasing it, so that the petticoat pipe and smoke stack are completely and instantly filled, thus forming a more perfect and constant vacuum inthe smoke box.

Yet another object is to create an exhaust pipe which will produce a lighter butmore continuous draft on the fire in the fire box, on account of the correct passage of the steapn through the exhaust pipe and smoke stac c.

With the foregoing general objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction and unique combinations of parts to be hereinafter fully described and claimed, the descriptive matter being supplemented by the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specihorizontal sections on the planes indicated by the lines 55 and 6-6 of Fig. 4.

In the drawings above briefly described,

the numeral 1 designates the usual smoke box at the front end of a locomotive, whereas :2 has reference to a smoke stack from which the usual or any preferred type of apron or petticoat pipe 3 depends into the smoke box, the lower end of said apron or petticoat pipe being outwardly flared as indicated at 4 and positioned above the improved exhaust steam pipe 5.

The pipe 5 is formed of a comparatively flat body having an outwardly projecting flange 6 at its lower end and gradually in; creasing in width toward its upper end, said body having a longitudinal cavity 7 formed therein which opens through said upper end, as clearly shown in the drawings.

The lower end of the body 5 passes through an opening in the bottom of the smoke box, and the flange 6 is secured to the engine in the usual or any suitable manner.

This means is preferable, but other methods may be followed for securing the device in place, should occasion demand.

A pair of exhaust passages 8, are formed in the body of the improved pipe, along the opposite edges of the latter and adjacent opposite sides of the cavity 7 the lower ends of said passages being adapted for communication with the usual exhaust ports which lead from the cylinders of the locomotive.

The upper ends of the passages 8 are directed downwardly as indicated at 9 so that they discharge into the cavity 7 on lines which converge toward the bottom of said cavity. By this arrangement, the exhaust steam is directed downwardly into the cavity 7 which spreads the volume of steam and gives it the proper contour before it is released into the petticoat pipe or apron 3 and the stack 2..

This action also reduces the velocity of the steam causing a long and continuous draft through the boiler tubes, which means a noticeable saving in fuel, yet the power of the engine is not decreased to any extent whatever, since the draft is more continuous than when employing the usual types of exhaust pipes.

Another feature which renders the device highly efiicient for the purposes intended,

is the comparatively large transverse area of the passages 8. These passages are of noticeably greater dimensions than those usually employed and thus there is but slight checking of the exhaust steam passing therethrough, with the result that the action of the pistons in the cylinders is not appreciably impaired. Both passages 8 preferably decrease slightly in size at the point of discharge into the cavity 7 and although this construction has proven highly satisfactory, the actual manufacture of the de vice may dictate that other proportions be followed. I do not therefore wish to be restricted to any such unimportant details of construction.

A blower port 10 is formed transversely through the body of the pipe or around the upper end of the cavity 7, and is adapted to discharge into the petticoat pipe and smoke stack, said port being adapted for connection, by any suitable means, not

shown, with a fluid pressure blast tocreate the required draft when the engine is not working steam. Also, although it does not add to the operation of the device, a horizontal flange 11, or lugs spaced at intervals, surround the improved pipe as'shown, it being intended that the usual horizontal screen (not shown) shall be attached to said flange or lugs, it being the ofiice of this screen to prevent the escape of sparks and Cinders through the smoke stack with the exhaust steam. 7

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be obvious that although the improved exhaust steam pipe is of comparatively simple and inexpensive construction, it will be highly eflicient and durable. Since probably the best results are obtained from the specific construction shown and described, such con struction constitutes the preferred form of i the device. I wish. it understood, however, that-within the scope of the invention as claimed numerous minor changes may be made.

I claim 1. An exhaust pipe for locomotives, comprising a one-piece comparatively flat cast- Copier of this patent may be obtained for five cents. each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 1

metal body disposed in a vertical plane and increasing in width toward its upper end body and the upper ends of said passages being curved downwardly and inwardly and discharging into opposite sides of said cavity on downwardly converging lines, said downwardly and imvardly extending passage ends decreasing gradually in size toward their delivery terminals, laterally projecting means integral with the narrow lower end of said body for securing it to the smoke box of the locomotive, and laterally extending means above saidfirst named means for the attachment of the usual screen. 2. Anexhaust pipe for locomotives, comprising a one-piece comparatively flat cast metal body disposed in .a vertical plane and increasing in width toward its upper end but being of substantially uniform thickiness, said body havlng a central vertical cavity opening. through its upper end, a pair of upwardly diverging exhaust passages between said'cavity and the edgesof said body, the lower ends of said passages opening through the narrow lower end of said body and the upper ends of said passages being curved downwardly and inwardly and discharging into opposite sides of said cavity on downwardly converging llnes, an annular passage formed in said body around the upper end of said cavity, means for admitting fluid under pressure to said annular passage, and an annular series of outlets from said annular passage opening through the upper end of said body around said cavity.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD e. GROSS.

Witnesses A. ROBERTSON,

BARNES. 7

Washington, D. G. 

